Chicago Bears Insider: A Defensive Tackle for Every Round

Having mocked some of the offensive line possibilities for the Bears in the 2011 NFL draft, I thought that it was time to take a look at the defensive tackle prospects that could interest the Bears in each round of 2011 NFL draft.  The defensive end and defensive tackle position are the two deepest positions in this year’s draft so the Bears should be able to find a lot of help on the line this year.

Without paying any attention to the defensive ends (which believe it or not might be interested in somewhere in the draft), let’s take a look at six defensive tackle prospects that could interest the Bears in each round of this year’s draft.

Note: This is just a review of possibilities in each round and not a mock draft (of how the Bears may end up drafting in the 2011 NFL draft).

Round 1, Pick 29: DT Corey Liuget—Illinois: Chicago has done some looking around at Liuget this offseason and it’s possible that the Bears could draft him in the first round.  Liuget has the skill and ability to play in the Bears system and could come in and start in their rotation right away.  He might need a little coaching, but for a first-round defensive end, he could be the best that the Bears get with their first-round pick.

Round 2, Pick 30 (62nd Overall): DT Jarvis Jenkins—Clemson: Jenkins has the size that the Bears would like to see in a defensive tackle and would fit their scheme well.  The Bears are going to want their second-round pick to start right away and, with a little bit of work, Jenkins would be able to step in and start in short order.

Round 3, Pick 29 (93rd Overall): DT Marvin Austin—North Carolina: The Bears have expressed some interest in Austin and he may be on the Bear’s radar.  Austin may end up falling in the draft because of some problems that he had at North Carolina. As a result, some people have been concerned about his character.  Would the Bears be willing to take a chance on Austin because of that or will his talent make his character problems go away?

Round 4, Pick 30 (126th Overall): DT Drake Nevis—LSU: There are some people out there that feel that the Bears and Nevis would be a good fit. The Bears should be interested in him and there haven’t been any reports that have linked the Bears to being interested in Nevis, just yet, but you never know.  He wouldn’t be a bad choice for them here and could be part of their rotation at the defensive tackle position almost immediately.

Round 5, Pick 29 (157th Overall): DT Terrell McClain—South Florida: It’s been said that Chicago has a lot of interest in McClain, and it’s possible that they could end up drafting him in this year’s draft.  McClain is slated as a fourth to fifth-round pick and it might be the level of competition that he faced that forces him to go a little bit lower.  The Bears would be salivating if he fell here to the fifth round (and it’s possible that they could try to get him in the fifth round) and he could end up being a less expensive fit in their defensive tackle rotation.

Round 6, Pick 30 (190th Overall): DT Cedric Thornton—Southern Arkansas: This small school prospect may end up making the Bears interested if they still haven’t filled their need at the defensive position in other rounds.  Thornton has impressed a lot of people in the weeks leading up to the draft and the Bears could have some interest in him late in the draft.